James j



(No Model.)

J. J. WOOD.

vElectric Lamp. N0. 233,589. Patented Oct. 19,1880.

WITNESEEE :rm/'ENTER NJUERS, PHOTO-UTHOGRAPHER. WASmNGTON, D c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEETCE.

JAMES J. VOOD, OF BROOKLYN, ASSIGNOR TO FULLER ELECTRICAL COMPANY, OFNEW YORK CITY, N. Y.

ELECTRIC LAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 233,589, dated October19, 1880 Application inea July 19, reso.

To all whom it muy concer/n:

Be it known that I, JAMES J. WOOD, of Brooklyn, Kings county, New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Lamps, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention applies more especially to those lamps which employapproaching carbon points, with a regulatin g-magnet in circuittherewith to control the approach or separation ofthe points, and thuskeep their distance uniform, so as to render the light formed betweenthem steady, and also to such systems of lighting as employ a number ofsuch lamps in circuit with one generator.

My present invention relates to an improved means of maintaining theresistance ofthe entire circuit uniform, notwithstanding` the occasionalor momentary extinguishment of one or more ofthe lamps, by causing aresistancecoil equaling the resistance of the lamp to be thrown into thecircuit when the lamp corresponding thereto becomes thrown out ofcircuit by the extinguishment of its arc from any ot' the usual causes.Heretofore such resistance-coils have been thrown into circuit by theaction of a magnet or similar device additional to the usual regulatingmechanism of the lamp, which thus not only adds to the complication ofthe lamp, but forms an additional resistance in the normal circuitthereof.

Now, my invention is distinguished by organizing the usualregulating-magnet of the lamp, or the armature thereof, to act as acontact maker and breaker to throw the resistance-coil into circuit whenthe armature retires fully from the magnet, as the latter loses itspower by the extinguishment ot' the arc, and on the other hand to throwsaid coil out of circuit as soon as the current is again establishedthrough the magnet and carbons, thus rendering the lamp not only veryefficient, but more cheap, simple, and compact, and enabling the samemechanism to perform several functions without discordance.

The ligure in the annexed drawing presents an elevation of a lamp of theusual type embodying my improvement.

lindicates the regulating-magnet, which is in circuit with the carbons,as usual. The armature m of this magnet is xed to a tilting (No model.)

frame, It, which carries a train of gearing meshin g with a rack on thepositive carbon-holder, so that when the current flows through themagnet and carbons to form the light the armature is attracted, theframe h tipped, and the carbon raised to give the proper separation toform the are between the points, this movement bringing the escape-wheel71, of the train against the fixed stop-tOOtll/ So as to preventanydescentof the carbon. \Vhen, however, tlie separation of the pointsbecomes too great, the currentand magnetism become correspondinglyweakened, and the spring g will then overcome the magnet, tip the framein the opposite direction, depress the carbon-holder, release a fewteeth of the gearing, and thus give the necessary feed to keep thepoints at the normal distance. Should, however, the arc between thecarbon points become entirely extinguished by the wind or other cause,the magnet l will then, ofcourse, lose all its power, and the spring gwill cause the armature to retire' fully from the magnet and tip thetilting frame h into contact with its hunting-stop A. This movementwill, ofcourse, release the train of gearing and permit the upper carbonto descend slowly and touch the lower carbon, so as to again establishthe current through the magnet and carbons and again form the arc in theusual manner. It may be observed, however, that before the arc could bethus established a break in the circuit would exist for an interval oftime, which, if no other passage of equal resistance for the current tothe lamp were provided, would seriously affect the action of thegenerator, and also all the other lamps in the circuit, if not entirelyderange their action. According to my invention, therefore, I cause theretiring motion of the armature m or its tilting frame h against thestop A to serve as a contact-maker t0 throw a coil into circuit having aresistance equal tothe normal arc, or thereabout, which coil is againthrown out of circuit as soon as the current is established through themagnet, and the carbons and the light formed thereby, thus obviating allthe above-named objections.

In the drawing, B indicates the resistancecoil, which is preferablywound upon butinsulated from the tube or rod It, by which the lamp issuspended, this arrangement of the IOO coil being obviously compact andconvenient. One end of this coil connects to the insulatedl or negativebinding-post on the head of the lamp-frame, which post also connects, asusual, to one end of the magnet-coils, the opposite end of whichconnects to the lower carbon. The other end of the resistance-coilconnects with the stop-screw A of the tilting armatureframe m h, whichscrew, instead ot' being in metallic connection with the lamp-frame, asheretofore, isinsulated therefrom, as indicated; butthe armature-frame mh is in metallic connection with the frame, as usual. Now the.suspending-rod la, on which the resistance-coil is wound, is in metallicconnection with the lamp-frame, and the positive circuit-wire istherefore preferably connected to the base of this tube, while thenegative wire connects to the negative post insulated on the lamp-frame. Hence, when the lamp is in action and the arc formed, thecurrent enters through the suspending-rod 7s through the frame of thelamp, the ripper carbon holder, and carbon, and, passing to the lowercarbon, returns through the coils of the regulating-magnet Land flowsott' by the negative post. While the current therefore takes this itsusual course to form the light, the attraction of the magnet willwithdraw the armature-frame m h out of contact with the stop A, and theslight oscilla tions of the armature frame under the varying attractionof the magnet and the opposing action of the spring g will regulate thefeed and separation of the carbons and keep the arc uniform in the usualmanner. Should, however, the arc become entirely extinguished-say by asudden gust of windthe magnet will at once lose its power and the springgwill throw the armature-frame in contact with the stop A, so that thecurrent will then nd a passage from the armature-frame through the stopA, the resistance-coil B, and oit' through the negative binding-post,through which it will continue to liow till the positive carbon hasdescended and touched the lower carbon, when, the current finding itsnormal passage, the magnet will be energized so as to attract thearmature, break the circuit with the resistance-coil, and raise thecarbon to give the proper separation to form the arc, and thus againestablish the light. Hence, by this means, While any lamp or number oflamps in the circuit are extinguished, the action of the generator or ofthe other lamps will not be effected for as one or more lamps becomeextinguished an equivalent resistance is immediately introduced into thecircuit, thus rendering the resista-nce of the entire circuit and of anysection thereof uniform and constant and preventing any breaks in thecircuit.

It may be further observed that my means of accomplishing these resultsadds little or nothing to the ordinary mechanism of the lamp, butgreatly increases its value and efflciency without interfering in theleast with any of the usual functions of the ordinary regulatingmechanism.

I do not, of course, limit myself to any special form ofregulating-magnet, or armature, or mechanical mechanism, as the essenceof my invention consists simply in so organizing the regulatingmechanism that the armature or other movable part actuated by theregulating-magnet and a retiring force makes contact with a stop andthrows the resistanceinto the circuit when the attraction oftheregulating-magnet fails. A solenoid may therefore be used in lieu of anordinary electromagnet, and the form of the armature or other part movedor actuated by the magnet or solenoid, as also of the general mechanicalmechanism, may, of course, be greatly varied, as experts in the art willreadily understand, without making any departure from the spirit of myinvention.

In lieu of the coil of wire B, any conductor of equivalent resistancemay, ot' course, be used; but the coil is preferable.

What I clailn as my invention is- 1. An electric lamp, substantiallysuch as described, having the armature or equivalent movable or actuatedpart of its regulatingmagnet organized to act as a contact-maker, tothrow a resistance-coil or equivalent conductor equal to the normal arc,or thereabout, into circuit when the said part retires fully from themagnet, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In an electric lamp substantially such as described, the combination,with the regulating-magnet thereof and its armature or equivalent,arranged in the general circuit, and a con ducting-stop against whichsuch armature retires, of a resistance-coil or equivalent conductorhaving one end in the genera-l circuit and the opposite end connectedwith said stop, substantially as and for the purpose herein shown anddescribed.

3. In an electric lamp, a resistance coil wound upon the rod or tubewhereby the lamp is suspended, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

JAMES J. NVOOD.

Witnesses:

EDWARD H. WALES, Unas. M. HIGGINS.

IIO

